The world has been transformed totally. There is a new era of Artificial Intelligence which has already replaced humans with Robots. It is rightly said by William Carlos William, “Time is a storm in which, we all are lost”. 

One cannot turn the clock back but one can do his or her best today to make tomorrow a happier time. The digital world is developing rapidly that one cannot ban or control it. It is an inclination of humans to be connected globally. Therefore, it is just fitting and appropriate that we become digital citizens. 

A digital citizen refers to a person who has the knowledge and skills to use digital technologies effectively.  On the other hand, digital citizenship is a positive engagement with digital technologies. 

To be a good and global digital citizen one has to communicate clearly and respectfully, protecting others and self from cyber bullying and more importantly upholding basic human rights of privacy and freedom of speech. As a digital citizen one must treat others with courtesy in online space and must ponder before posting anything on the social media. 

Communication technologies play a vital role in shaping the digital citizenship. They are always determining our ways of communication to learn and to progress. The everchanging technologies in communication have their impact on our personal and professional life. However, they do come with many advantages and disadvantages. 

Some of the communication technologies that do help an individual to become a digital citizen are cloud-based communication, artificial intelligence, chatbots, augmented and virtual reality, blockchain and cryptography. Blockchain and cryptography are the latest communication tools that help in building of trust and collaboration.

The concept of digital citizenship can help the world to become a better place to live and share innovative ideas and be an asset to the global peace and harmony. At a time when our country is holding the Presidency of G20 with a theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, where we accept that world is one family, it is time that we exhibit the same in our words and actions. 

The rapid growth of digital world allows free flow of thoughts and ideas across the people of different nations and form opinions and policies for a better world.  The social activists, the environmentalists, the educationists, the reformists, the political and religious leaders can contribute immensely in ensuring that whole world is one family. 

One of the major concerns for a digital citizen is to meet threats posed by cyber bullying   and cybercrimes. As an individual, one has to be alert all the time and be aware of the challenges that are posed by the digital world. There are workshops and seminars which are being organised regularly by various cybercrime teams to enlighten the teenagers to take precautionary measures to escape traps laid by  hackers and fake identities. As parents and school teachers it is our responsibilities to constantly remind the young generation to be vigilant and proactive in dealing with digital transactions and transmissions. Our small step in the right direction can prevent unfortunate incidents which could be detrimental to our personal life.  

(The writer is a Senior Educator with experience of 27 years of teaching in renowned schools in Delhi. Views expressed are personal. Email: manju.j505@gmail.com)